Di María magic inspires Argentina in dazzling display

Photo: Télam

New Manchester United signing Ángel Di Maria was simply unstoppable for Argentina as he helped the 'Albiceleste' take a 4-2 win against Gemany, as Gerardo Martino enjoyed a dream start to his tenure as coach.

Manchester City forward Sergio Agüero and Erik Lamela struck early on in Dusseldorf and Federico Fernández also headed home, with all three goals set up by Fideo who then added his own, as Argentina looked for revenge against world champions Germany in Dusseldorf.

Agüero finished from short-range to convert Ángel Di Maria's inspired cross into the box, to mark the friendly's opening goal after 20 minutes of the first half.

Di Maria was once more the architect just before the break, as his pinpoint cross was fired home on the volley by Tottenham's Lamela to double the advantage against the world champions.

After half-time, Di Maria resumed his wizardry to set up Fernández from a dead ball. The Manchester United man then added his own just minutes later, chipping over Manuel Neuer for the nation's fourth. The joy for the South Americans was tempered only slightly by Andre Schurrle and Mario Götze, who pulled Joachim Low's men back into the game at 4-2.

Martino's tenure as Argentina coach kicked off against none other than the 'Albiceleste's' World Cup nemesis, as the ex-Barcelona man tackled a friendly match where he will be without captain Lionel Messi.

Messi was withdrawn from the squad after suffering a muscle strain at the weekend against Villarreal, and is one of several first-teamers unavailable for the rematch against the side that ended Argentina's Brazil 2014 dreams in the final back in June.

Javier Mascherano, who became a national hero in Brazil thanks to his valiant displays, was rewarded by Martino with the captain's armband. The Barcelona star led the team under Diego Maradona and Sergio Batista, but handed over the captaincy to Messi at the start of Sabella's tenure.